Richie Sambora Covers Prince, INXS, Midnight Oil on Solo Tour

Bon Jovi may be appearing without him on the "Because We Can" tour, but it's former guitarist Richie Sambora who seems determined to showcase an amazing versatility: Recent Australian shows saw him performing solo tracks and songs he hand in writing with Bon Jovi, of course, but also covers by local heroes like INXS and Midnight Oil - and even Prince.

Sambora is clearly enjoying being his own boss, after three decades playing alongside Jon Bon Jovi. "Are you kidding?," he told news.com.au. "It’s back to musical freedom."

Sambora, whose recent falling out with Jon Bon Jovi has led to a very public war of words, is on the road with Aussie star Orianthi, best known for her recent work with Alice Cooper. Together, they've remade Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' into a swinging sing-along, even as they unveiled crowd pleasers like INXS' 'Don't Change,' Midnight Oil's 'Beds are Burning' and Prince's 'Purple Rain.' Jon Farris of INXS joined Sambora on stage in Sydney.

Sambora says he intends to record with Orianthi later this year, saying the duo have already composed "a ton of songs." Despite this flurry of new activity, however, hard feelings about Jon Bon Jovi's decision to move on without him clearly remain. Sambora recently said: "I know Mick Jagger wouldn’t tour without Keith Richards and call it the Rolling Stones."